Exclusive Interview: SEND MEDICINE Prescribes a Hefty Dose of Rock n' Roll
Updated: Sep 15, 2021
LA-based psych rockers, Send Medicine, decided to hunker down in the studio during the pandemic to craft another batch of tasty tunes. Earlier this week, the group released two brand-spanking new heaters from their latest split single release.
Originally a solo project from Toronto that relocated to LA, the group started out experimenting with a freak folk sound reminiscent of early rockers like Captain Beefheart. Over the years, they've gravitated toward a new wave of psychedelia by combining their love for bluesy rhythms with polished riffs and upbeat breaks. Early tracks like "Baby's Coast" really set the mood for their humble beginnings while their latest music video for "Scorpio Long Ago" allows them to stand out as rock n' roll torchbearers.
Send Medicine has really established a name for themselves within the underground rock community after headlining a variety of festivals and touring alongside legends like The Warlocks. If it wasn't for the pandemic, they would've already been touring abroad and playing festivals like SoCal Psycheout, yet they took advantage of their situation and found a silver lining.
Rather than frantically searching for alternate routes as artists like live-streaming concerts or making new merch, the group chose to really dial in their new sounds and record some jams. Their newest singles "Second Biggest Fan" and "High in the Rain" truly capture a mix of psychedelic rock and folksy jazz; a perfect soundtrack for desert-dwelling drifters or digital-age vagabonds.
We had the opportunity to chat with vocalist Julian Hacquebard before their latest release.
Here's what he had to say:
Q: In the past, your style of music could be described as freak folk. I just wanted to know in your words what that means?
A: Well I don’t really think it’s freak folk much anymore. I just attached that to the bio to reference the early years when I was a drunk, doing solo acoustic music. It was more influenced by psychedelic folk, Devendra Banhart, people that were making music in the mid 2000’s that wasn’t just singer-songwriter but a little freakier. I wouldn't really define that as our band now.
Q: How would you describe how your sound has changed over the years?
A: Well in the early days, the first line up was the acoustic guitar, drums and flute. That was kind of freaky excentric and weird. Then it evolved into traditional rock with two guitars, bass and drums. Now we’ve experimented with different percussive elements, widened up the sound and it's a lot more harmonious, with more synth and keyboard.
The music that hasn't came out yet has a lot more piano, less traditional garage rock n' roll. It's a little more free flowing; still has pop sensibility, still expanding. We’ll see what people think of it because we have two records now that aren't out. One will be coming out early next year and another one at the end of next year. They'll both be pretty different sounding from each other.